Moray MP Douglas Ross was recently asked to step out in Parliament to demonstrate the perils faced by Guide Dogs and their owners. Douglas took to a mock street in the House of Commons in a simulated exercise aimed at learning about the challenges faced by people with sight loss face while out walking, which can include meeting obstructions such as cars parked on the pavement.
Commenting, Douglas said: “It is difficult to understand just how hard it must be for people with sight loss, but we probably consider even less how difficult it can be for Guide Dogs to negotiate the streets. During my session I had to avoid a car which was parked on the pavement and tried to avoid stumbling across a variety of street clutter, along the way. Given how successful I was at staying on my feet with Marsden the guide dog, he might have stopped my recent stumble at Hampden although a referee with a guide dog is a whole different story!
“Motorists should think really carefully about parking on pavements. Obstructions can force the partially sighted into the road, and pose dangers for wheelchair users, parents with pushchairs, and others.”
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is currently campaigning for a law to make pavement parking an offence, except on streets where local authorities agree that it is safe for pedestrians. This is already the case in London, but elsewhere across the UK, councils struggle to tackle unsafe pavement parking. The Transport (Scotland) Bill, recently published by the Scottish Government, includes provisions on pavement parking.
Douglas added: “Safety must come first and partially sighted people have as much right as everyone else to expect safe passage on our streets. Parking on the pavements can cause problems and I support Guide Dogs in their campaign for legislation on this matter so people can be clear on the law in this matter.”
Niall Foley, Engagement Manager at Guide Dogs Scotland, commented: “Too often, our streets can be cluttered with dangerous obstacles for blind and partially sighted people. The worst offenders are cars parked on the pavement. If you have a vision impairment, pavement parked cars aren’t just a nuisance, they can force you to step out into the road and put you in real danger.
“In most parts of the UK, the law on pavement parking is unclear and difficult to enforce. We want pavement parking to be the exception so pedestrians can rely on their path being clear. When drivers themselves don’t know the rules, that is a strong sign the law needs to change. We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackle this serious problem, and are pleased to see the publication of the Transport Bill which includes restrictions on pavement parking.”